A Hidden Musical Surprise
Read about the conservation of a silver inkstand with a hidden musical mechanism

Our conservators recently restored a tiny musical movement hidden inside a nineteenth-century silver inkstand (RCIN 49883).
The mechanism was discovered during preparations for a catalogue raisonné of Continental Silver in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen. Metal specialists working on the inkstand noticed that the central seal was unusually heavy, and closer examination revealed the miniscule mechanism hidden in its base.

Music box mechansim during repair ©
The movement was sent to our in-house horological conservators, who replaced and repaired several tiny parts.
Special tools were required to accommodate the object's miniscule scale.
Watch this short film to hear the full story of the mechanism's restoration – and hear it play its music once again.